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1. HARR1S. VOLTAIG BATTERY.

110.470,123. Patented Mar. 1, 1892.v

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H. I. HARRIS. VOLTAIC BATTERY.

No. 470,123. Patented 113.1%. 1, 1892.

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I. HARRIS. VOLTAIG BATTERY.

Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

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, H I HARRIS VOLTAIG BATTERY.

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6 Sheets-Sheet 6. H. I. HARRIS.

VOLTAIG BATTERY. No. 470,123.

Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

UNITED STATES! PATENT 'l Ormea.

HENRY INKSON HARRIS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

VOLTAIC BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,123, dated March 1, 1892.

Application filed April 4, 1891. Serial No. 387,679. (No model.) Patented in England December 4,1888, No.17,694:; in Germany May 27,1889,No.50,662; in France October 3l, 1889, No. 201,680, and in Belgium October 3l, 1889, No. 85,052.

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, HENRY INKsoN HARRIS, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 61 Ossory Road, Old Kent Road, in the county of Surrey, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voltaic Batteries, (for which I have obtained the following patents: in Great-Britain, No. 17,694, bearing date December 4, 1888; in Germany, No. 50,662, bearing date May 27, 1889; in France, N o. 201,680, bearing date October 3l, 1889, and in Belgium, No. 85,052, bearing date October 8l, 1889,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to effect certain improvements in the construction of primary voltaic batteries used for electric lighting, driving small motors, or other desired purposes, by means of which I am enabled, among other advantages, to use a non-fuming solution in the carbon cells.

In the accompanying seven sheets of drawings, Figure l is a perspective elevation of a battery constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is aplan of same with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation through the line X X in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan of the under side of the cover. Fig. 5 is a plan of the under side of the bottom of the cells through the line Y Y in Fig. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively sectional elevation and plan of a modified arrangement.

Similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the drawings.

I construct the outer cells of my improved i battery of a box A, of Wood, vulcanite, or other suitable material, divided by compartments A into four, six, eight, or other desired number of cells. In the example shown in the drawings the battery is divided into eight cells, and each cell is divided by a porous plate B, cemented into grooves in the sides of the cell.

The carbon elements consist of plate O, formed with a projection or stud C on the lower end, which vis covered with an electrodeposit of copper and passes through a hole in the bottom of the cell. A copper stud having a flat top D and a stem D is fixed in each cell on the opposite side of the porous plate B to the carbon O by means of the stem D',

passing through a hole in the bottom of the cell.

rlhe zinc elements consistof amalgamated plates Z, standing upon the studs D. They are surrounded at the upper ends by rubber rings E to prevent contact of the zinc With the walls of the cell. The top of the stud D is either amalgamated in the rst instance or becomes so 'by contact with the amalgamated zinc plate. The cells are connected in series, as shown clearly in the plan Fig. 5. The studs C and D are tinned before being inserted in place, and thin Wires F are twisted round the studs and soldered thereon to connect the zinc of one cell with the carbon of the next cell. The Wires F F2 from the two end studs are laid in grooves H H in the end of the box A and connected to terminals J J. The grooves H H are then filled in with cement,and, if desired, they may be covered with a projecting strip of Wood or vulcanite. If the battery A is made of vulcanite or other suitable material which can be molded, the Wires F F2 may the time of its construction. After the wires F F F2 are in place a frame or ledge K is fastened in the bottom of the box, or this frame may be made in one piece therewith, and the whole space is then filled up solid with suitable cement L and a bottom plate M screwed on. Cement N isalso employed inthe bottom of the zinc cells to ll them up level with the tops of the studs D, and a layer of cement N may also be used in the bottom of the carbon cells. By this improved method of construction the Whole of the connections are completely insulated and prevented from corrosion or injury of any kind. The cover of .the battery consists of a plate P, having a layer of rubber Q cemented to its under side.

R R are metal bands passing round the battery and having apertures R :iny their upper ends. Cross-bars S S, having a handle T pivoted thereto, are inserted in the apertures, and when the handle is turned up, as shown, the cams U U force the cover into close contact with the top of the battery, the rubber Q making a tight joint between the various divisions. The above forms a convenient handle and arrangement for securin g the batterybe molded within the wall of the battery atl IOO cover; but I may employ any other device which will answer the required purpose. I-IolesV are made in the rubber Q and plate P, communicating with the holes V' V'r through the said plate, and thus forming vents to all the cells.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. G and 7 instead of a porous plateB a circular porous cell B is used. A recess is formed in the bottom of the cell, into which the said porous cell is cemented. The amalgamated stud D passes through the bottom of the cell and the battery and is cemented in place, as before. The zinc element consists of au amalgamated rod Z', standing upon the stud D and having a rubber ring at the top to prevent contact with the sides of the cell. The carbon plate C is of the same pattern as in the previous figures, but is cemented against the side of the cell. The connections between the elements under the bottom of the battery are arranged in the same manner as before, and I have proved by careful experiments and tests that the fact of forming connection with the zinc plates at or near -their center, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, and l0, instead of at one end, as is the usual practice, hasthe effect of decreasing very materially the consumption of the zinc Without any loss of electrical energy.

I do not confine myself to the use of any special ingredients for the battery solutions; but inpractice I find a solution of sulphuric acid.` nitrate of soda, and bichromate of soda in Water to give good results in the carbon cells, Water slightly acidulated with sulphuric acid being used `in the zinc cells. As the carbons `reach to the bottom ofV the cells, the whole of the crystals become usedup, and the current obtainedfrom each charge therefore lasts for a longertirne than in a battery where the carbons are suspended in the usual manner. The only loose parts are the zinc plates,

and when these are lifted out the battery can be emptied and recharged with the greatest facility, and as all the connections are completely insulated and incloscd, as before described, the battery may easily be operated by unskilled persons.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A voltaic battery having the connections bet-Ween the elements arranged under the bottom of the battery and insulated from one another and from the contents of the cells.

2. In a voltaic battery, the combination of carbon elements C, having studs C', passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, zinc elements Z', studs D, also passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, and connections formed by wires F, all inclosed in cement L, frame K, and plate M, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a voltaic battery, the combination of carbon elements C, having studs C', passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, zinc elements Z', studs D, passing through thebottom of the porous cell and the battery, and connections formed by wires F, all inclosed in cement L, frame K, and plate M, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a voltaic battery, metal studs D, with stems D', passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery for forming the connection with the zinc elements, substantially as set forth.

5. In a voltaic battery, the combination of metal studs D, with stems D', passing through and cemented into the bottom of the battery, With zinc plates Z resting thereon, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two attesting wit-- nesses.

HENRY INKSON HARRIS.

IVitnesses:

AMBRosE MYALL, R. WILSON. 

